Sydney selected their biggest array of tall timber this season in an attempt to claim the scalp of Carlton in the AFL clash at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Ruckman Shane Mumford's recall after missing the last three games with a knee injury was confirmed after he pulled up well following training on Friday.

For just the second time this season, Sydney will field both of their main ruckmen in Mumford and Mark Seaby, though the latter was a substitute back in round one.

Recent backup ruckman and pinch-hitting forward Lewis Roberts-Thomson was retained in the side, with coach John Longmire confident he can successfully juggle the three big men.

"Mark (Seaby) obviously played well last week, we know he is a quality AFL ruckman so Mummy and he hopefully will complement each other well, which allows us a little bit more flexibility with Lewis Roberts-Thomson," Longmire said.

"We have the ability to play him back and forward so we will see how the match-ups pan out.

"We know up forward he has been a real presence for us.

"If you look at the West Coast Eagles they have four players in their forward line most of the time who are over 190cms so it can be done.

"What we are confident in is that the players we have got are really versatile.

"If you look at Shane Mumford, one of his biggest strengths is his mobility and athleticism for a big bloke, he is a big man but athletic and mobile and good below his knees."

Forward Trent Dennis-Lane, who was sick this week, was the player to make way for Mumford.

The match against third-placed Carlton, who beat Sydney by 16 points at the SCG back in round six, looms as a stern test of Sydney's top four credentials.

Sydney have not beaten a current top four team this season, while the Blues haven't lost to any team presently below them on the ladder.

"We're looking at this week as a good chance to test ourselves against a quality team," Longmire said.

"We think we've got some self-belief in the players at the moment that means it's the timing to play a team in really good form. We are looking forward to it.

"They are a highly talented team right across the board, but what I think they've really introduced this year has been their pressure."

If all else fails, Longmire could do worse than to adopt the game plan suggestion of his leading goalkicker, Ben McGlynn.

"Probably stop Juddy, he dominated us last time," said McGlynn referring to Carlton skipper Chris Judd, who produced a masterful second half performance at the SCG.

Among those who could find themselves on Judd at some stage on Saturday are Kieren Jack who did a good job at the SCG before getting injured, Craig Bird and co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.

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